Box Score MINOT, N.D. – Minot State University kept cutting the University of Sioux Falls lead to single digits.

The Cougars kept stretching it back to double digits.

Sioux Falls stretched a 35-28 halftime lead to double digits early in the second half and withstood every MSU run in a 73-59 win in nonconference NCAA Division II men's basketball Saturday at the MSU Dome.

The Cougars (12-7 overall) won both nights by double figures in a rare back-to-back double header, but did it in much different ways. Friday, it was free throws that stretched a tight game into a 10-point win. Saturday, USF never allowed MSU to make a significant second-half run.

The Beavers (3-17) trailed by just seven at halftime despite hitting only nine field goals in the first half and shooting 36 percent. MSU was 10 for 24 in the second half, but still finished the game going 38.8 percent in the game.

USF got 24 points and four rebounds for Skyler Bloch but he was the only Cougar in double figures. Derek Brown, Keith Cutler, David Maxwell and Alex Roby all scored eight points. A.J. Holland dished out seven assists in the win.

Josh Johnson (Jr., F, Lufkin, Texas) scored 20 points and pulled down six rebounds to lead Minot State. Thomas Korf (R-Fr., F, St. Cloud, Minn.) was the only other Beaver to reach double figures with 11. Adam Randall (R-Fr., G, Steele, N.D.) and Chris East (So., G, Toronto, Ontario) each grabbed seven rebounds for the Beavers.

MSU is off for two weeks before traveling to Black Hills State Feb. 10 and South Dakota Mines Feb. 11.